Photomicrography system



3,292,490 12/1966 Moore.......................... 95/12 PrimaryExaminer-Norton Ansher Assistant Examiner-Michael Harris Attorney-WillisM. Ertman ABSTRACT: Apparatus for facilitating photomicrographycomprises a plurality of microscopes and a camera. A compensatingstructure is permanently secured to the tube of each microscope. Eachcompensating structure includes a seating surface and an outercylindrical surface of predetermined dimension greater than the maximumdimension of the microscope eyepiece that is located above the seatingsurface. The camera has an adapter member attached to its lens InventorWalter Lawrence Cahall, Jr.

Box 424, South Duxbury, Massachusetts 02332 [21] Appl. No. 756,508

Aug. 30, 1968 Patented Dec. 8, 1970 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

United States Patent [22] Filed [54] PHOTOMICROGRAPHY SYSTEM mount. Theadapter member has a barrel portion with an interior cylindrical surfacethat mates with the outer cylindrical surfaces of all of thecompensating structures and a seatin surface at the end remote from thelens mount coupling that seats on the seating surface of thecompensating structure. A photomicrograph of a specimen on the stage ofthe microscope may be taken by the camera through the eyepiece lens, orthe specimen on the stage may be viewed visually through the eyepiecelens merely by lifting the camera to slide the attached adapter memberoff the compensating structure.

m S m mm m T m m n N N n O m E m m 3 T 0 n CA N u u n u m C m" u m 5Emmum m cT m m m m "mm IT I I es [k r. u d kmwo mm REWRBM Tm H 8660 "fiN4556 9999 1111 n in d PHOTOMICROGRAPI-IY SYSTEM This invention relatesto apparatus for photomicrography and more particularly to a system forfacilitating the taking of photomicrographs, by inexperienced people,for example, in educational laboratories.

The microscope is a frequently used instrument in a variety of fields ofinvestigation including zoology and botany as it substantially increasesthe dimensions of knowledge of the particular item of interest. As themicroscope permits much fuller understanding of the subject underconsideration, it is extensively used in learning environments. Thecamera is a useful pedagogical adjunct to the microscope as it furtherincreases the range of materials that may be studied, and enables thestudent to preserve examples of his investigations, to make detailedstudy of specimens of interest by means of photomicrographs, and to havean additional tool available for laboratory work. Greater understandingand incentive can be provided through the use of photography in theeducational process.- However, microphotographic apparatus have not beenextensively available in educational laboratoriesAmong the reasons forthis lack are the difficulty of adapting cameras 'and microscopes to'each other for student use; the unfamiliarity with the coordinated useof such equipment on the part of the students and teachers; and the costof such equip- .ment.

*It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improvedphotomicrography system which is particularly useful in educationallaboratories.

Another object of the invention is to provide a photomicrographic systemwhich permits the ready use of the plurality of microscopes for normalviewing and facilitates the simple and rapid attachment of a camera to amicroscope for taking a photograph of an image that has been visuallydetermined to be of'interest.

' Still other objects of' the invention are to provide an inexpensive,reliable, convenient and easy to use cameramicroscope accommodationsystem which facilitates photomicrography.

Another object of the invention is to provide a systemwhich permits thetaking of accurate photomicrographs without impairing the ready use ofthe microscope in normal manner.

In accordance with the invention there is provided apparatus' for usewith a camera and a plurality of microscopes in a system thatfacilitates and encourages photomicrography.

the camera-adapterassembly on the microscope and taking the picture. Nodisassembly of microscope components is necessary, no bulky attachmentis used and the camera may be readily used for other purposes merely bydetaching the adapter.

In a particular embodiment. the compensating structure includes a clampring and a compensating sleeve. The clamp ring in such an embodimentcontains a threaded portion which receives a setscrew for fixedlysecuring the clamp ring on the barrel of the microscope. Thecompensating sleeve is a cylinder that fits over the microscope tube andis seated within the clamp ring which holds it firmly against themicroscope tube; and the adapter includes frictionalelernents disposedin its inner surface to provide firm frictional support of the adapterand camera structure secured to it on the components of the compensatingstructure secured to the microscopebarreal. The adapter in oneembodiment includes a fitting that The apparatus includes a plurality ofcompensating structures adapted for permanent attachment to the barrels,of the corresponding plur'ality of microscopes. Each compensatingstructure includes a seating surface perpendicular to the optical axesof each microscope, and of an outer cylindrical surface of predetermineddimensions greater than the dimensions member is adapted to be securedto the camera so that the camera-adapter assembly, when the adapter isdisposed over one of the compensating structures and seated on theseating surface, places the camera in alignment with the opticalcomponents of the microscope and the compensating structure is fixedlysecured in a proper axial position relative to the microscope optics, sothat the camera may be operated in normal manner to photograph aspecimen on the stage, which specimen may be viewed visually through themicroscope ocular merely'by liftingthe camera to slide the adaptermember off the sleeve. Thus the students may use their microscopes innormal visual manner to view specimens of interest. When a student has aunique or particularly good specimen, he may take a photograph of it forpreservation purposes, for further detailed study, or reinforcement ofthe learning experience or to inform the rest of the class, for example,merely by placing couples directly to thelens mount in place of thelensunit it is preferred to use a single lens reflex camera with such anadapter so that the specimen may be viewed precisely in the photographedform. In another embodiment, for use with cameras of the Polaroid type,the adapter fits onto and accommodates the main lens of the camera. Aprovision for viewing and more accurate focusing with suchnonreflex typecameras can also be provided in such an embodiment by including in theadapter a reflex viewing tube with a mirror or prism directing a portionof the light to a viewing tube. I

Thus the system of the invention facilitates the taking ofphotomicrographs, particularly in such environments as educationallaboratories where there are a number of microscopes available in asimple and easy to use manner. While the invention has particularadvantage in educational laboratory environments, it also facilitatestheready use of both a camera and a microscope, alone or in combination, inother environments.

Other objects, features and advantages will be seen as the followingdescription of particular embodiments of the invention progresses, inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microscope and camera to which areattached apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic optical view of the optical systems ofamicroscope and camera as produced with the apparatus of the invention;n

FIG. 3 is a perspective view' of a sleeve component of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp ring apparatus shownin FIG. i;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adapter component of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention DESCRIPTION OF PARTlCULAREMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, the microscope includes a stand 10which supports a mirror holder 12, a stage 14 on which a specimen isdisposed for viewing, and a tube carrier 16 that includes focusingadjustments I7 and 19. Disposed in the tube carrier is a tube 18 which,at its lower end, carries a three-lens turret 20 and, at its upper end,receives an ocular or eyepiece 22. Fitted on the smaller diameter upperend of tube 18 is a compensating structure that includes 'a clamp ring24 and a sleeve 26. Cooperating with this microscope is a camera 30 ofthe single lens reflex type that has a reflex finder structure 32.Attached to the lens mount 34 of camera 30 is adapter structure 36.

The relationships of the optical systems of the microscope and camerawith the adapter 36 seated on clamp ring 2d are shown in FIG. 2. Themicroscope includes an objective lens 50 carried by the turret 20 whichforms a first image 52; and a removable eyepiece 54 which includes afirst lens 56 which produces a second image 58 and a second lens 60 atthe upper end of the eyepiece. This eyepiece structure has an annularridge 62 which projects'radially beyond the outer wall of the upper endof barrel 18 so that the eyepiece 54 may be seated therein. The camera30 has a film plane 64 and a mirror 66 which may be swung into positionfor reflecting light onto ground glass screen 68 for reflex viewing.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the aluminum clamp ring or locking collar24 is one-fourth inch thick and has an outer diameter of 1% and an innersurface 70 of a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of sleeve26 as positioned on the upper end of the barrel to which it is clamped,the

diameter of surface 70 fo'r'one type of microscope being 1% inches andfor another microscope being 1% inches. A slot 72 is provided in surface70 to facilitate flexing under clamping pressure. A gap 74 through thering is provided opposite slot 72. A threaded hole 76 extendsperpendicular to gap 74 on one side thereof and a bolt seat 78 is formedin the opposite side of the gap to receive a clamping bolt 80. Collar 24and sleeve 26 are secured to barrel 18 with collar 24 being located at asuitable axial position as a function of the optical characteristics ofthe microscope and the camera to be used with the microscope. Sleeve 26,as shown in FIG. 4, is a cylinder that has an inner wall 82, an outerwall 84, and an axially extending slot 86 so that, with ocular 54removed, it slides easily over the upper end of the tube 18 to provide,by its outer surface, a known diameter which is greater than that of thelip 62 of the ocular. In this embodiment the sleeve is 1 inch long andhas an outer diameter of 1% inches. The diameter of the inner surface issubstantially the same as the outer diameter of the barrel of themicroscope to which it is to be attached. In actual practice the greatmajority of monocular microscope most I commonly used in schools andcolleges are of two general types, having a barrel diameter in the rangeof .987 inch to 1.002 inches or in the range of 1.055 inches to 1.070inches.

Two sleeve sizes thus will accommodate most microscopes. To make thesystem fit most firmly on those barrels in the lower ends of theseranges specific size sleeves can be provided, but

I a more practical method is the use of shims of 0.003 to 0.005

inch thickness between the sleeve and microscope barrel. One or two suchshims will make the system fit without "play. A sheet of fiberglass shimstock 0.004 inch thick, from which shims about one-half inch square maybe cut, has been found ideal for this purpose and a sheet of such shimstock is conventionally provided with a set of an adapter and tencompensating structures.

Adapter 36 shown in FIG. 5 is designed for use with a camera having anExakta lens mount and includes a lens mount structure 90 at its upperend, a three-eights inch wide manipulating surface 92; a barrel section94 of 1% inches outer diameter and 2 inches long; and a cylindricalinner sur- 4 face 96, 1% inches long and of a diameter proportioned tothe outer surface dimension 84 of sleeve 26. In this embodiment :thatinner surface dimension is 1 /8 inches while in another embodiment theinner surface dimension is 1% inches. Grooves 98 formed in inner surface96 receive O-rings 100 to provide a frictional fit.

on stage M. The camera with the adapter 36 attached to it is positionedabove the microscope and the adapter barrel slid down the sleeve 26 tobe seated on ring 24. The image formed is then viewed through the reflexsystem 32 of the camera on the ground glass screen 68 and the axialposition of the clamp ring 24 adjusted. The axial position of the clampring 24 may be adjusted slightly up or down to provide a differentprojection length of the image, thereby altering the amount of thespecimenfield seen on the ground glass. In most cases a full frame imagecan be obtained with this system when desired.

Critical focusing is now obtained by turning the microscope fine focuswheel 19 while observing the image on the ground glass 68. A camera suchas the Exaltta has a magnifier lens which flips up at the outer edge ofthe reflex finder structure 32 for a magnified view of the ground glass.A clear spot in the center of the ground glass can also be provided,which gives a bright view of the image formed by the ocular. Thus inthis embodiment, the microscope optics are substituted for the cameralens.

In a typical use in a high school or college laboratory, all of themicroscopes are fitted with the compensating structures of a clamp ring24 and a sleeve 26;}; camera is fitted with an adapter 36; and theposition of the clamp rings adjusted as described above. Each microscopemay then be used visually in normal manner. The clamp ring and sleevecomponents are compact and do not interfere with this use. If aphotograph is desired to be taken of a specimen on the stage 14, allthat need be done is slide a cameraadapter assembly over the sleeve 26into seated position on ring 24 and a photographmay be takenimmediately. 7

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a modified adapter 36 isemployed. Fabric material 102 on sleeve 26' provides a resilientfrictional surface. The upper end of adapter 36' has a surface 104 whichis arranged to be press fitted in the circular lens housing of aPolaroid camera 108. The adapter is seated firmly on the lens housing106. The compensating structure of ring 24' and sleeve 26' is secured tothe microscope barrel in a predetermined axial position. In use,initially the microscope is visuaily focused by manipulating adjustmentmechanism 17. With the camera 103 focused at infinity, thecamera-adapter assembly is seated on the compensating structure and aphotograph of the specimen may be taken. I

A provision for viewing and more accurate focusing with such nonreflextype cameras can also be provided in such an embodiment by including inthe adapter a reflex viewing tube and a mirror prism which directs aportion of the light to the viewing tube. Thus in a typical kitof tencompensating structurcs and an adapter provided in accordance with theinvention plus optional shim stock permiis ten microscopes to be readilyavailable for photomicrography with a single camera. By using the sameeyepiece for viewing and photography, the specimen will be viewed andphotographed in a similar relationship, a desirable situation for schooluse. Should a specialize eyepiece providing a wide field, or flat field,for example, be desired, it can of course be substituted for themicroscopes standard eyepiece, prior to taking the photograph. Also theinvention may be used with other than monocular microscopes, such asbinocular or stereo devices for example.

Thus, while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled inthe art and therefore it is not intended that the invention be limitedto the disclosed embodiments or to details thereof and departures may bemade therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the claims.

Iclaim:

11. Apparatus for use with a camera and a plurality of microscopes forfacilitating photomicrography comprising:

a plurality of compensating structures permanently secured to the tubesof a corresponding plurality of microscopes, each microscope tube havingan eyepiece lens at one end thereof and each compensating structureproviding a seating surface perpendicular to the optical axis of itsmicroscope tube and an outer surface of predetermined dimension greaterthan the maximum dimension of the microscope eyepiece;

and an adapter member having a barrel portion with an interior surfaceadapted to mate with the outer surfaces of all of said compensatingstructures; said barrel portion having a seating surface adapted to seaton the seating surface of said compensating structure, and a lens mountcoupling at the other end of said barrel portion; and

said adapter member being secured to the lens mount of said camera bymeans of said lens mount coupling so that said camera, when said adaptermember is disposed over one of said compensating structures and seatedon said seating surface, is maintained in alignment with the opticalcomponents of the microscope by the mating engagement of the outersurface of said compensating structure and the inner surface of saidadapter member so that a specimenon the stage of the microscope may bephotographed and the specimen on said stage may be viewed visuallythrough the eyepiece of the microscope merely by lifting the camera toslide the attached adapter member off the compensating structure.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said compensatingstructure includes means allowing said compensating structure toresiliently conform to the outer surface of the microscopic tube.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and further including a threadedadjustment member for securing said compensating structure in fixedposition on the tube of the microscope.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including frictionalresilient elements disposed on the inner surface of said barrel of saidadapter member for cooperating engagement with said outer cylindricalsurface of said compensating structure.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein'each said compensatingstructure includes a clamp ring which provides said seating surface anda compensating sleeve member which provides an axially extendingcylindrical surface, said sleeve adapted to be disposed under said clampring and held firmly against the microscope tube by said clamp ring.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said clamp ring includesa threaded adjustment member for securing said clamp ring and saidsleeve in fixed position on the tube of the microscope.

7. Apparatus for facilitating photomicrography comprising:

a microscope having a stand, a stage for receiving a specimen to beviewed, a barrel having an optical element supported therein and aneyepiece lens removably mounted at the upper end of said barrel, saidoptical element and said eyepiecelensdefining an optical axis, and saidbarrel and said stage being supported on said stand;

a compensating structure secured to the upper portion of said barreladjacent said eyepiece to provide a seating surface extending outwardlyfrom said barrel generally perpendicularly to said optical axis and anouter surface of predetermined dimension greater than the maximumdimension ofthe microscope eyepiece;

an adapter member having a barrel portion with an interior surfaceadapted to mate with the outer surfaces of said compensating structure;said barrel portion having a seating surface seated on the seatingsurface of said compensating structure and a lens mount coupling at theother end of said barrel portion; and

a camera, said camera having a lens mount secured by means of said lensmount coupling to said adapter member so that said camera is maintainedin alignment with the optical components of the microscope by the matingengagement of the outer surface of said compensating structure and theinner surface of said adapter member so that a photomicrograph of aspecimen on the stage of the microscope may be taken by said camerathrough said eyepiece lens and the specimen on said stage may be viewedvisually through said eyepiece lens of said microscope merely by liftingsaid camera to slide said attached adapter member off said compensatingstructure and without any further focusing adjustment of said microscopebarrel.

8. A camera-microscope accommodation system for facilitatingphotomicrography comprising:

a plurality of compensating structures permanently secured to the tubesof a corresponding plurality of microscopes,

each microscope tube having an eyepiece lens at one end thereof and eachsaid compensating structure including a clamp ring secured to itsmicroscope tube at a point spaced from said eyepiece lens and providinga seating surface perpendicular to the optical axis of its microscopetube and a compensating sleeve having an outer cylindrical surface ofpredetermined dimension greater than the maximum dimension of themicroscope eyepiece above said seating surface;

each said compensating sleeve having an axially extending slot allowingsaid compensating sleeve to resiliently conform to the outer surfaces ofthe microscope tubes, a shim element inserted between the inner surfaceof at least one of said compensating sleeves and the outer surface ofits microscope tube to provide a firm cylindrical surface;

an adapter member having a barrel portion with an interior cylindricalsurface mating in sliding relation with the firm outer cylindricalsurfaces of-said compensating sleeves, a seating surface at one end ofsaid barrel portion adapted to seat on the seating surface of said clampring, and a lens mount coupling at the other end of said barrel portion;and

a camera having a lens mount, said adapter member being secured to thelens mount of said camera by means of said lens mount coupling so thatsaid camera, when the inner surface of said adapter member is disposedover and in mating relation with the outer surface of one of saidcompensating sleeves and seated on said seating surface of theassociated clamp ring, is maintained in alignment with the opticalcomponents of the microscope so that a photograph of a specimen on thestage of the microscope may be taken by said camera through saideyepiece lens and the specimen on said stage may be viewed visuallythrough said eyepiece lens of said microscope merely by lifting saidcamera to slide said attached adapter member off said compensatingstructure and without any further focusing adjustment of said microscopebarrel.

